August 11, 2007
Because God is love, the most important lesson He wants us to learn in our short time here is how to love. It is in loving that we are most like Him, which is why love is the foundation of every command he has given us -  “The whole Law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love others as you love yourself.’”  

The level of love within Journey 2L2 reveals the spiritual health of our community.  

The apostle Paul makes this point, “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.” Jesus said our love for each other is our greatest witness to the world.  

Love shouldn’t just be something you hear emphasize in church from time to time, God wants us to consistently live our lives with love as our top priority. The Scriptures say, “Let love be your greatest aim.”

Often we act as if relationships are something to be squeezed into our schedule. We talk about “finding time” for our children or “making time” for our friends.  These words give the impression that our relationships are just a part of our lives along with many other tasks we have to do. God says relationships are what life is all about.  

Jesus summarized what matters most to God in these two statements - Love God.  Love People. He said, “You must Love the Lord your God with all your heart. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Our purpose in life is to learn to love God and to partner with God in loving others. 

Did you know that busyness is one of the greatest enemies of relationships? We become preoccupied with making a living, working, paying bills, and accomplishing goals as if these tasks are the point of life.  At Journey 2L2, we believe that to be free as Christ promised is to partner with God in loving others. 

When people are about to cross over into eternity they don't surround themselves with objects. What we need is people - people we love and people we have relationship with.  In our final moments, we all realize that relationships are what life is all about.

One of the ways God measures spiritual maturity is by the quality of your relationships. In heaven God won’t say, “Tell me about your career, your hobbies, etc.”  Instead, God will review how you treated other people, particularly those in need.  

Jesus said the way to love Him is to love His family and care for the needs of the poor. “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”  

Last Sunday I encourage you to pray this simple prayer every morning, “God, today I want to make sure that I spend time loving you and loving other people I don't want to waste this day.”  Let me know the difference this made in your life. 

Bob

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